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WICOMICO
Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 2005, by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #127) as the Wicomico for the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

However, construction was initially begun for Odyssea Vessels of Berwick, Louisiana. When the deal unraveled with Odyssea Vessels, the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland acquired the unfinished tug from Thoma-Sea Shipbuilders.

Upon her completion, she was the fourth Patapsco class tug designed by Frank Basile of Entech and Associates of Houma, Louisiana. And constructed by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders for the Vane Brothers Company.

Named for the Wicomico River, which is a 24.4 mile long tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the eastern shore of Maryland. The river drains to an area of low marshlands and farming country in the middle Delmarva Peninsula.

The name "Wicomico" derives from the words "Wicko Mekee," meaning "a place where houses are built." Referring to an Indian town on the banks of the river. The Wicomico is one of two rivers in Maryland with this same name, along with the Wicomico River, a tributary of the Potomac River in south central Maryland.

It rises in northern Wicomico County, close to the Delaware state line. And, flows southwest, through Salisbury, Maryland. Its head of navigation. It enters Monie Bay on the eastern edge of the Chesapeake Bay between Mt. Vernon and Waterview approximately 15 miles southwest of Salisbury.

Powered by two, Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAF-872 reduction gears. Turning two, 97(in), fixed pitch, propellers. Mounted in CNF, Type 37, kort nozzles. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,200 horsepower.

The tug's electrical service is provided by two, 72kW, Caterpillar 3054T generator sets. Her capacities are 89,910 gallons of fuel oil, and 8,816 of potable water.

Her towing gear consists of an INTERcon, double drum, towing winch. Driven by a dedicated John Deere diesel engine.


  • Vessel Name: WICOMICO
  • USCG Doc. No.: 1177830
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 9377444
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDC7747
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 127
  • Ship Builder: THOMA-SEA BOAT BUILDERS INC
  • Year Built: 2005
  • Length: 94.8
  • Hailing Port: BALTIMORE, MD.
  • Hull Depth: 14.3
  • Hull Breadth: 34
  • Gross Tonnage: 98
  • Net Tonnage: 67
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    THOMA-SEA BOAT BUILDERS INC, VANE LINE BUNKERING INC